Serum uric acid level in Japanese university enrollees

BACKGROUND: The aim of this questionnaire-based study is to characterize serum uric acid (UA) levels in a cohort of young adults and to assess associations of serum uric acid levels with epidemiological factors. METHODS: Cohort data from 15,574 new university enrollees aged 18 to 20 years, including their serum UA levels, were collected. The prevalence of hyperuricemia and the relationship between serum UA and epidemiological factors, including blood pressure, sex, and obesity, were examined. RESULTS: The mean serum UA (mg/dL) was 5.2 (4.2 in women and 5.8 in men) and the prevalence of hyperuricemia (UA>7.0 mg/dL) was 6.6%. Serum UA levels were positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels. No statistically significant interactions were detected between serum UA and sex or obesity in relation to SBP. CONCLUSION: Hyperuricemia is common among young adults. A higher UA level is related to increased blood pressure, irrespective of sex and obesity.